Clashes in Bani Walid entered their fifth day on Sunday. A resident said by phone that defenders and pro-government militias were exchanging sporadic fire as the government side regrouped after the bloody attack the day before. The resident spoke anonymously for fear of retaliation.

LANA said late Saturday that another 200 militiamen were wounded in the fighting.

About 50 kilometers (30 miles) outside, militiamen could be seen evacuating civilians and foreign migrant workers, in an apparent preparation for a new push on the city.

Bani Walid, some 140 kilometers (90 miles) southeast of Tripoli, is the most significant town in Libya still resisting the country's new authorities.